The shelves of The Salvation Army's food pantry have grown increasingly barren each day, to the point that a diminutive selection of canned beans and vegetables was nearly all that remained on Thursday.
In an attempt to restock the shelves and continue providing 40 families and individuals with food each week, The Salvation Army is asking the public for help.
"I usually try to put together packages that will end up making meals, not just random food items. We're just down to vegetables now, so I don't really have anything to build a meal with," Jeanie Saunders, social service director, said Thursday.
Saunders said the shortage happens on a monthly basis. Within the first couple of weeks of the month, nearly all of the food is gone from the shelves. Around this time every year, donations are sparse and the pantry seems to run out of food faster, she said.
Nonperishable food items like pasta, peanut butter, canned meats and other easily prepared food items sit at the top of The Salvation Army's grocery list. Anything with a long shelf life that does not require refrigeration or freezing fits the criteria for what they need.
Many of the people who utilize the food pantry do not have consistent access to a kitchen and, even then, electricity is never promised, she said, noting she prefers to hand out canned goods equipped with easy-open pull tabs over ones that require a can opener.
"We serve people from a variety of backgrounds. Needing help does not always mean the person is in that situation by any fault of their own. I've prepared packages for people recovering from surgery who can't work, people that have lost their jobs, the elderly, and single income families," she said.
Many of the people who come to the food pantry are senior citizens who run out of money near the end of the month, she said. In many cases, their Social Security check does not provide them with sufficient funds to cover basic necessities. She said the same goes for the "working poor" families who have lost food stamps or operate on a single income.
Whatever the need, Saunders makes sure that everyone coming to The Salvation Army seeking assistance is greeted with a warm smile. She personally prepares each package of food distributed and hopes to see more donations come in that allow her to send out complete meals.
"I prepared a package today and ended up having to put cake mix in it because we just didn't have anything else. I know kids like sweets, but I would prefer handing out foods high in protein," she said.
In addition to handing out about 160 food packages each month, The Salvation Army also serves daily meals from their Red Shield Cafe. They spend roughly $4,000 each month on food alone. The donations for the food pantry help supplement the cost and ensure they can continue giving food to those facing hard times.
Lt. Bradley Hargis said he noticed a lot of local youths live in situations where they are left to prepare their own meals for one reason or another. Any food items that can comprise an easily prepared meal meet their need, especially simple foods like cereals and canned fruit.
"We have a youth character building class on Wednesday nights where about 30 to 35 children, ages 6 to 14 attend on a regular basis. Last night I asked how many of them are preparing their own meals and about half the hands in the room shot up," he said.
"We find that this happens because the parent(s) end up working later, leaving the children sort of watching and caring for themselves around dinner time."
Donations of nonperishable food items can be dropped off at The Salvation Army's main office, 115 Crescent Ave., between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
"We just want to encourage everyone to bring as much as they feel led to; we will make room for every donation. Hot Springs has shown us how giving they are, and for that, we are truly blessed," said Saunders.
Local on 02/02/2018